Structure of Educational System
Pre-higher Education System
Higher Education System
Administrative structure of higher education
Admissions to Higher Education and Recognition

Pre-higher
Education System

Duration of compulsory
education Age of entry: 7 Age of exit: 15

Structure of school
system

Type/level of education:
Basic First Stage Type of school:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (1ST CYCLE) Length of program (years): 4 Age level:
from 7 to 11

Type/level of education:
Basic Second Stage Type of school:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (2ND CYCLE) Length of program (years): 4 Age level:
from 11 to 14

Type/level of education:
General Secondary Type of school:
GENERAL SECONDARY SCHOOL (GYMNAZIJA) Length of program (years): 4 Age level:
from 14 to 18 Certificate awarded:
MATURSKA SVJEDODZBA/SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE

Type/level of education:
Specialized Secondary Type of school:
SPECIALIZED SECONDARY SCHOOL (ART, MUSIC, RELIGIOUS SCHOOL) Length of program (years): 4 Age level:
from 14 to 18

Type/level of education:
Specialized Secondary Type of school:
PEDAGOGICAL SCHOOL Length of program (years): 4 Age level:
from 14 to 18

Type/level of education:
Technical Type of school:
TECHNICAL & VOCATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL Length of program (years): 4 Age level:
from 14 to 18

Description of secondary
school systemSecondary education is provided by general and specialized
secondary schools where studies last four years and lead to the matura
(secondary school leaving certificate). Technical and vocational secondary
education also lasts four years. Pupils graduating from general secondary
schools can enroll in any faculty or academy by passing a qualification
examination prescribed by the institution. Students graduating from pedagogical
schools, technical, art and religious schools can enrol in related faculties
by passing a qualification examination prescribed by the faculty or academy.
Students who graduate from "expert" secondary schools can enrol in any
faculty or academy if they pass two additional qualifying examinations
prescribed by the faculty.

Higher Education System

Structure of system

The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina has four universities,
namely Sarajevo, Mostar, Tuzla and Banjaluka. The war in Bosia-Herzegovina
(1992-1995) has created an extremely difficult situation for the university
system: 78% of its capacities and equipment have been damaged or completely
destroyed, including the University Library with more than 1,800,000 titles;
its possibilities for scientific communication have been reduced to a minimum
(including access to knowledge in the form of recently published books
and journals, international research projects, participation in networks
etc..). The Association of European Universities (CRE) is organizing a
network to assist in the development of following areas: law, natural sciences,
management and economics, technical sciences. The University of Paris VIII,
in collaboration with the universities of Barcelona, Mannheim and Torino,
is setting up a programme to reinforce departments of European foreign
languages.

Academic year Classes start:
October Classes end:
July Long vacation:
from 30 June, to 1 September

Languages of instruction Croatian, Serbian

Stages and Organization of Higher
Education Studies

University
level studies

Stage 1:
Undergraduate studies

Description: Vise skole (Higher schools) offer programmes
lasting two to three years and leading to the Diploma Viseg Obrazovanja
(Diploma of Higher Education). Faculties and Academies offer programmes
that last four to five years, leading to the Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja
(Advanced Diploma of Higher Education) with a professional title in various
scientific and artistic fields.

Stage 2:
Graduate studies

Description: Specialist studies last one year, whereas
one or two additional years and presentation of a research project may
lead to the award of the degree of "Magistar".

Stage 3:
Doctorate

Description: The science doctorate (Ph.D.) is the highest
scientific degree. The preparation of this degree does not imply postgraduate
studies; it is rather the result of independent research. Public defence
of a doctoral thesis is required for this degree.

Teacher
education

Training of primary/basic
school teachers

Primary teachers (kindergarten through fourth grade) were
traditionally prepared in two-year post-secondary Pedagogical Academies.
The government has recently published a decree stipulating that Secondary
Teacher Training Schools should also train primary-school teachers (grade
1 to 4). Teachers for upper grades in elementary schools are to be trained
in the expanded four-year programmes at the Educational Academies.

Training of secondary school
teachers

Secondary teachers are trained at Secondary-teacher Academies.
(The number of teachers available in Bosnia and Herzegovina has dropped
dramatically since the war began). A World Bank study indicates that about
8,000 teachers lack formal qualifications, while 4,000 teachers are abroad
and could potentially resume their duties.

Non-formal
studies

Distance higher education

Radio Zid Sarajevo has embarked on a youth radio programme
with UNICEF aid. It is interested in expanding its work in distance education
programmes. The SOROS Foundation, the Free University of Amsterdam and
World University Service are setting up Internet equipment in order to
improve the exchange of programmes and academic staff between Bosnian and
foreign universities.

Lifelong higher education

There are a number of training courses offered by NGO's
and various inter-governmental organizations involved in the emergency
effort.